Bordertown is an American animated adult sitcom that recently premiered on Fox. The animated series was created by none other than Family Guy writer Mark Hentemann, and is being executive-produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. The sitcom follows two families living in a Southwest desert town on the United States-Mexican border. However, the characters, setting, and dialogue portray the lives of Mexican immigrants in the U.S., so is this really over exaggerated satire or hidden messages of racism.

The sitcom series takes place in a fictitious town named Mexifornia, which is on the border of California and Mexico. The two main characters are the two family-oriented men and neighbors Bud Buckwald and Ernesto Gonzalez. Bud is a border agent living with his wife, Janice Buckwald, and their three children: Becky, Sanford and Gert. Ernesto Gonzalez is an ambitious family man who migrated to the U.S. and has been in the country fewer than 10 years.

With elections coming up and immigration being one of the main topics in the campaigns and presidential debates, the sitcom could not have premiered at a better time. Or could the timing have been worse?

It is true that mainstream news and media are turning the microscope on Latinos, but the mainstream media outlets are still lacking in strong Latino/a leading roles. The main subject that is talked about when Latinos are mentioned is immigration. The second main topic that is talked about in reference to Latinos is crimes and/or criminals. What the mainstream media fails to point out is that NOT all Latinos are immigrants and that although Mexicans are the largest Latino group in the U.S., there are more Central Americans than Mexicans migrating to the U.S. now than ever before. On top of that, Latinos are hardly ever--if not never--represented in positive roles. And it is more than obvious to say this is a crucial time in our country to represent and portray Latinos with positive roles?

Was a sitcom where Mexicans are being represented as immigrants necessary? Especially one that overly exaggerates your typical Mexican family in the U.S.? Why not an American sitcom that portrays a successful Mexican family, who are not immigrants (because not all are)? The animated series relies on the stereotypes heard of Mexican immigrants rather than the real-life stories of those who have triumphed in the U.S. Satire or racism, Mexicans along with all other Latinos have to begin being recognized as humans, as the hardworking people they are, rather than being shown as criminals.

Anyway, check out the animated sitcom yourself, it airs every Sunday on Fox at 9:30 p.m. The series is two episodes in, so catch up and leave your comments, because I'm thrilled to read about what you have to say!